To view this email as a web page click here.

Updates from Zenith Aircraft

Plane & Pilot magazine features the Zenith STOL CH 750 on the cover of its Oshkosh (August 2023) issue with an eight-page article about affordable light sport aircraft.

"Readers know off-road vehicles but how about “off-airport” flying machines? Even if you don’t use that term, you may know one of the favorite aircraft that appeals to so-called backcountry pilots. I refer to Zenith Aircraft’s best-selling CH-750.

"Many refer to it as the “Sky Jeep.” One glance at an example explains

the term of affection," writes Dan Johnson, a leading journalist about the light sport aircraft industry: "Evolved over the years from the inventive mind of the late Chris Heintz, the CH-750 has a long and successful history with hundreds of delighted owners. Nearly all were built with its kit, an activity the Mexico, Missouri, company supports wonderfully well."

"...Zenith is among the most prolific kit providers, leading the light aviation segment year after year. One way it has kept the energy is by supporting a variety of engines so pilots can have their preference," writes Johnson in the cover story. "Takeoff in a CH-750 remains swift with its high-lift slotted wing. Even a more heavily loaded CH-750 can clear the deck in 100 feet or so. Center-stick handling is light and easy, a characteristic you find on all of Chris Heintz’s easy-to-build designs.

"Zenith has found a ready market with lots of buyers for its CH-701 or CH-750 models. As STOL (short take-off and landing) models, Sky Jeeps aren’t built for speed. For pilots who prefer a higher cruise speed to travel cross country, Zenith introduced the Cruzer a few years back. It dispenses with the slotted wings and fat tires. Fitting wheelpants and using only a single-wing strut and a cleaner wing, Cruzer adds 10 knots, yet it can still manage a very short takeoff and landing and retains the easy flying qualities of Sky Jeep."

Randy Shannon (above) will also be returning to EAA Oshkosh AirVenture with his popular Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty "Sky Jeep" sport utility aircraft that he built from a kit. Watch the video as he explains why he loves his Zenith STOL.

Here's a Summary of Zenith Aircraft activities at Oshkosh. Check the Zenith Aircraft Facebook event page for the latest updates, as well as the official EAA Oshkosh website.

• Zenith Seminars (Forums): We have several educational / informational seminars scheduled throughout the week. Check the schedule for topics you don't want to miss.
• Zenith Workshop in the EAA AeroPlane Hangar (right next to the Zenith display #610 & 611). Come check out the latest kit assembly features from Zenith Aircraft Company. We'll have our new STOL CH 701 fuselage kit to demonstrate, featuring final hole size match-drilled parts and components, as well as a finished STOL CH 750 fuselage assembly with engine and glass panel display to look at!
• Wednesday evening "meet and greet" happy hour at the Zenith booth, sponsored and co-hosted by our friends at Viking Aircraft Engines. Come visit with us and fellow Zenith builders/pilots before Wednesday's night airshow, starting at 5:00 pm at the Zenith booth.
• Zenith Banquet at Oshkosh. Annual banquet at Oshkosh for and about Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts! Last year's event was the biggest on record, and we expect record crowds again this year. Once again, the annual banquet will be held by the airport at the Mineshaft restaurant on Thursday evening, July 27th. Click for details.
• Check Zenith.aero and the Zenith Facebook page next week as Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert plan to provide an in-the-air "flying update" preview video about the upcoming Oshkosh week (July 24 - 30).

Zenith Aircraft kits, whether the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650, represent exceptional value to the recreational (yet demanding) pilot and to the amateur aircraft builder looking for a quality fast-build kit. The standard kits are complete, and include many pre-drilled holes (thanks to advanced CNC fabrication technology), factory-finished wing spars, and all hardware required to assemble the entire airframe. Best of all, Zenith kits are supported by one of the best companies in the industry. Getting started building your own aircraft is now even easier than ever!

Compare the value and quality of the Zenith Aircraft kits to the competition for completeness, pre-manufactured parts and components, standard equipment, low build time, simplicity of construction and required skills and tools, as well as price. We strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible, while also improving production technology with the extensive use of CNC equipment in kit production. This allows for a much higher level of parts completion (making the kits easier and quicker to build!), improved delivery schedules, and also keeps production of the kits here in North America, and what makes us the Number One brand of light sport aircraft year after year.

Build It. Fly It! Plan now to join us for our next hands-on factory workshop on August 10 & 11 at the Zenith kit aircraft factory in central Missouri. Zenith's factory workshops are popular with sport aviation enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in building their own kit airplane. Participants start assembling the rudder tail kit under the direction and guidance of factory professionals, and "graduate" from the workshop upon completing construction of their own aircraft rudder tail section for one of Zenith Aircraft Company's popular kit aircraft designs. The two-day workshops make an excellent getaway trip to the Zenith kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Spend a couple days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable building skills and tips. And best of all, a Zenith demo flight is part of the factory workshop experience! 

The Zenith factory workshop experience is more than gaining valuable hands-on experience in building one of Zenith's popular kit aircraft. In addition to completing assembly of their own rudder tail section (from a kit), workshop participants tour the kit aircraft factory, seeing first-hand how all the kits are made, and everyone gets the chance to go up for a demo flight! Cost of the workshop class is just $375.00 (or $425 for the CH 750 Super Duty model) and includes the complete rudder kit for a Zenith aircraft. Additional helpers (spouse, friend or children) are encouraged to attend and can participate at no additional charge. The hands-on workshop makes an excellent getaway for you and your spouse or a friend! Spend a couple of days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable building skills and tips.

Make plans now to join us for the Zenith Homecoming fly-in on September 15 & 16, 2023, at the Zenith factory! The annual homecoming event promises to be another activity-packed gathering of Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts, with two full days of educational and fun activities!

All aviation enthusiasts, and especially builders and owners of Zenith Aircraft kit planes, are invited to drive or fly-in. Starting on Friday (September 15), educational workshops and seminars are scheduled, including engine and avionics seminars, as well as maintenance and building workshops. Plan also to join us for the informal Zenith banquet dinner (outdoors on the Zenith Aircraft ramp, with some great guests and door prizes!) on Friday evening, and for an outdoor BBQ dinner on Saturday evening! We'll be sharing more details about the event in the coming months. Check out the photos from 2022 to see why you don't want to miss this event.

Do you know someone who may be interested in building and flying their own aircraft? Share this newsletter with them by simply forwarding this email or share this web page link.